Method for preventing or treating obesity

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a novel method for preventing or treating obesity in a subject. The method comprises administration of a therapeutically effective amount of DHA and ARA, alone or in combination with one another, to the subject.

1 . A method for preventing or treating obesity in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of DHA and ARA.  
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject is in need of such treatment or prevention.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of DHA is between about 15 mg per kg of body weight per day and 60 mg per kg of body weight per day.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of ARA is between about 20 mg per kg of body weight per day and 60 mg per kg of body weight per day.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of ARA:DHA by weight is from about 1:3 to about 9:1.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of ARA:DHA by weight is about 2:1.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of ARA:DHA by weight is about 1:1.5.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject is an infant.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the DHA and ARA are administered to the infant during the time period from birth until the infant is about one year of age.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the DHA and ARA are administered to the infant in an infant formula.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the infant formula comprises DHA in an amount of from about 15 mg to about 60 mg per 100 kcal infant formula.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the infant formula comprises ARA in an amount of from about 25 mg to about 40 mg per 100 kcal infant formula.  
     
     
         13 . A method for increasing the lean muscle mass and decreasing the adipose tissue of a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of DHA and ARA.  
     
     
         14 . A method for increasing the lean muscle mass and decreasing the adipose tissue of an infant, the method comprising administering to the infant a therapeutically effective amount of DHA and ARA, wherein the ratio of ARA:DHA by weight is from about 1:3 to about 9:1.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the ratio of ARA:DHA by weight is about 2:1.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the ratio of ARA:DHA by weight is about 1:1.5.  
     
     
         17 . A method for upregulating the expression of IL-15 in a subject's skeletal muscle, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of DHA and ARA.  
     
     
         18 . A method for downregulating the expression of IL-15 in a subject's subcutaneous adipose tissue, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of DHA and ARA.  
     
     
         19 . A method for upregulating the expression of adiponectin in a subject's skeletal muscle, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of DHA and ARA.  
     
     
         20 . A method for downregulating the expression of the hepatic leptin receptor in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of DHA and ARA.  
     
     
         21 . A method for preventing or treating obesity in an infant, the method comprising administering to the infant DHA.  
     
     
         22 . A method for preventing or treating obesity in an infant, the method comprising administering to the infant ARA.  
     
     
         23 . A method for preventing or treating obesity in a child, the method comprising administering to the child DHA.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the child is between the ages of one and six years of age.  
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the child is between the ages of about seven and twelve years of age.  
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 23  additionally comprising administering ARA to the child.  
     
     
         27 . A method for preventing or treating obesity in a child, the method comprising administering to the child ARA.